Scientists see new evidence S.African variant binds more readily to human cells

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Scientists have new biological evidence that the so-called South African coronavirus variant binds more readily and strongly to human cells, making it more infectious, top local epidemiologist Salim Abdool Karim said on Monday.

He was speaking at a presentation of research into the variant, known as 501Y.V2, by a team of scientists. The variant was identified by South African genomics experts late last year.

(Reporting by Tim Cocks Editing by Alexander Winning)